Professional health care providers and a general public better informed about addiction science research could lead to improved treatment for persons with drug dependence. This study examines whether a communication skills workshop can provide scientists with knowledge of basic communication methods and motivation to present findings on addiction science research to an interested public. The workshop was delivered to 257 participants at 15 sites, with pretest, posttest, and some follow-up data collected. Significantly, gains in knowledge and beliefs were made immediately after the workshop. However, follow-up data suggested that the workshops may have had little impact in encouraging scientists to speak to the public, which may be partly due to few rewards for such service activities within the academic setting. (Contains 3 tables, 2 figures, and 6 notes.)